GOP Agrees to Modify Controversial Ballot Boxes

California’s Republican Party says it plans to modify but expand its ballot collection program after legal threats by California’s Attorney General. The boxes appeared in counties with competitive congressional races, including Fresno where the boxes have been removed, for now.

Reporter: Alex Hall, KQED

Polls Show Suburban Women Turning Away From Trump

In the final days of the 2020 campaign, President Donald Trump is openly courting suburban women, a crucial group of voters for both candidates. But polls show those women pulling away from the president.

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Court Rules Bankrupt Battery Recycler Not Responsible for Cleanup of Toxic Waste

A bankruptcy court in Delaware has approved a plan to abandon a battery recycling plant in L.A. County, siding with the Trump administration over the objections of Governor Gavin Newsom. The decision could leave a toxic mess in a poor community with no money to pay for cleanup. 

Reporter: Molly Peterson, KQED

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Trump Administration Rejects State's Petition for Wildfire Relief

The Trump Administration has rejected California’s petition for a federal disaster declaration and relief funds in the aftermath of several recent wildfires, including the devastating August Complex Fire, the biggest wildfire in state history. 

Oakland, Portland Sue Over Use of Federal Agents at Protests

The City of Oakland is challenging the Trump administration's authority to send federal law enforcement to respond to protests. 

Reporter: Nina Thorsen, KQED 

Civilian Watchdog Group Demands L.A County Sheriff Resign

The civilian watchdog group overseeing LA. County’s Sheriff’s Department has released an unanimous resolution demanding that the county’s sheriff, Alex Villanueva, resign immediately.

Newsom Releases Recommendations for Police Response During Protests

New recommendations that aim to make demonstrations more peaceful are out. Tensions between police, protestors and journalists have been especially high since demonstrations broke out after the killing of George Floyd in the spring.

Reporter: Mary Franklin Harvin, KQED

The Mental Health Toll of a Coronavirus Outbreak Inside Avenal State Prison

Some of the largest COVID-19 clusters in the country are in California’s jails and prisons, and at the top of the list is Avenal State Prison in the San Joaquin Valley. Inmates say the prison's handling of the virus has been chaotic, and that impacts inmate safety as well as mental health.

Reporter: Kerry Klein, KVPR

Statue of Former Governor Pete Wilson Removed in San Diego

The statue of Pete Wilson, put up just thirteen years, ago, has become a target for recent protests by activists who objected to Wilson’s stance on immigration and LGBTQ rights.

New Online Detection Tool Could Stop Ships from Colliding with Whales

In recent years these waters, especially around Santa Barbara, have gotten more dangerous for the giant mammals because of the increased danger of collisions between whales and cargo ships. In response, researchers at UC Santa Barbara’s Benioff Ocean Initiative have developed a first of its kind system to help ships avoid hitting whales.

Guest: Morgan Visalli, Benioff Ocean Initiative scientist and Whale Safe project lead

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Dangerous Weather Conditions Mean More Power Shut-Offs in Northern California

53,000 Pacific Gas and Electric customers in Northern and Central California are without power this morning. The utility has shut it off because of dangerous weather conditions that could spark a wildfire. 

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

State Grid Operator Faces Tough Questions About Rolling Blackouts

The agency that manages the state’s power grid is calling for Californians to conserve power today, two months after almost a million Californians were left in the dark by the state’s first planned rolling blackouts in 20 years. The agency is also under scrutiny over distribution of the state power supply. 

Reporter: Lily Jamali, KQED

Democrats Cry Foul Over GOP's Unofficial Ballot Drop-Boxes

Democrats in California’s three most competitive Congressional races are crying foul over the Republican Party's unauthorized vote-by-mail drop boxes. The GOP is defending the use of the ballot boxes and the issue has gotten the attention of President Trump. 

Reporter: Guy Marzaroti, KQED

Record-Breaking Numbers of Californians Have Already Voted

Every registered voter has been mailed a ballot this election and a a result, record-breaking numbers of Californians have already voted. Secretary of State Alex Padilla says more people voting by mail means election day will be safer for everyone who needs to be there in person.

Reporter: Angela Corral, KQED

Unemployment Agency Seeks to Reduce Backlog With New ID System

California’s Employment Development Department says it’s making progress towards eliminating its massive unemployment claims backlog thanks in part to a new identity verification system helping EDD process claims faster and head off fraud.

Reporter: Julie Chang, KQED

L.A. City Council Votes To Develop Non-Police Crisis Response

When people are experiencing a mental health crisis, it’s often the police who respond. San Francisco and Oakland are implementing programs that would remove police from crisis response. Now the City of Los Angeles is also moving forward with developing its own unarmed civilian crisis response team.

Reporter: Anna Scott, KCRW

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SCOTUS Ruling Ends Census, Leaving Marginalized Communities Undercounted

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the Trump Administration can end counting for the 2020 Census now instead of waiting until the end of the month. The court’s decision is a blow to local governments and advocacy groups, who say stopping the count now will lead to a big undercount of marginalized communities.

Trick-Or-Treating and Parties Discouraged For Halloween and Dia de los Muertos

The State of California is strongly discouraging trick-or-treating and large gatherings for Halloween and Dia de los Muertos. In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, health officials are suggesting alternatives to traditional holiday activities.

Reporter: Laura Klivans, KQED

Prop 18 Would Allow Some Californians to Vote Before They Turn 18

When you turn 18 you’re allowed to do a lot of things you weren’t allowed to do before, like vote. But should California allow 17-year-olds to vote in the primary if they'll be 18 on election day? That’s what Proposition 18 would allow.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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State Eases Restrictions as COVID Hospitalizations Drop

Hospitalizations for coronavirus patients in California are at their lowest level in six months. Just over 2,200 COVID patients were hospitalized as of this past Saturday compared to the peak of nearly 7,200 patients hospitalized in July. And coronavirus patients in intensive care units are now at their second-lowest level since the pandemic began.

California Looks to Florida for Guidance on Reopening Amusement Parks

One huge economic blow caused by the pandemic is the continued closure of California’s amusement parks. But across the country, Florida is reopening its parks. Governor Gavin Newsom says he’s sending California officials to Florida to see how things are going since Disney World and other parks reopened last month.

GOP Says They Will Not Remove Unauthorized Ballot Drop Boxes

California’s top election official and the state’s Attorney General are demanding that California’s Republican Party remove unauthorized ballot drop off boxes that have appeared in at least three counties in the state. GOP officials insist they aren't breaking any laws.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

PG&E Considers Power Shut-Offs As Temperatures and Winds Pick Up

Northern California is in for another round of hot, windy weather this week. PG&E is preparing for another possible round of “wildfire safety” blackouts to prevent its equipment from sparking another blaze. 

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

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PG&E Under Investigation in Connection with Deadly Shasta County Wildfire

Utility giant, Pacific Gas and Electric says state authorities are investigating whether the company’s equipment might have started a Northern California fire that killed four people late last month and destroyed over 200 structures.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

Thousands March in Beverly Hills in Solidarity with Armenia

Thousands of Armenian-American protestors marched in Los Angeles on Sunday, demanding an end to a decades-old, violent conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan that’s flared up in recent weeks.

Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

State Regulators Plan to Cut Cost of Jail and Prison Phone Calls

The California Public Utilities Commission plans this fall to start discussing placing a cap on the price of the calls. This move is part of a national movement to reduce expensive phone rates for incarcerated people.

Reporter: Alex Emslie, KQED 

The History of Voting Rights for Formerly Incarcerated People

This election year, California voters will decide on Proposition 17, a ballot measure that would restore voting rights to people on parole if it passes.

Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED

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Private Firefighters Accused of Allegedly Setting Illegal Backfires

State fire officials are investigating several private firefighters for allegedly setting illegal backfires to protect some structures threatened by the Glass Fire in the wine country.

Jackie Lacey and George Gascón Square Off in LA County District Attorney Race

The candidates to lead the largest prosecutor’s office in the country squared off last night in a virtual debate. Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey is running for her third term against George Gascón, the former San Francisco D.A., who is campaigning as a progressive challenger.

Some Call for a Less Partisan Election Chief in California

California Secretary of State Alex Padilla is charged with overseeing the state's elections. But he's also a Democrat, who has to face his own election every four years. Some election experts think the job needs a fundamental overhaul.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

Over 100,000 College Students Lack Tech for Online Classes

More than 100,000 California college students don’t have the technology they need for online classes. That’s according to a new estimate from the nonprofit Ed Trust West.

Reporter: Vanessa Rancaño, KQED

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Harris and Pence Spar Over Forest Management and Wildfires During Debate

Issues important to California, like climate change and wildfires came up in Wednesday’s Vice Presidential debate. The candidates started off discussing the COVID pandemic and the administration’s handling of it, but the conversation soon turned to the environment. 

Reporter: Katie Orr, KQED

Facebook Bans Political Ads Until After the Election

Facebook has announced plans to prohibit all political ads until after the polls close on November 3rd. The tech giant says it will also place notifications at the top of the News Feed, reminding users that no winner is decided until “real news outlets” announce one.

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

Changes to White Collar Worker Visa Has Bi-Partisan Support

The U.S. Department of Labor enacts big changes today, to the H1-B visa program for high-skilled guest workers. The changes are supported both by pro-labor Democrats and anti-immigration Republicans. 

Reporter: Sam Harnett, KQED

Governors New Executive Order Dedicates 30% Of California's Land to Conservation

Governor Gavin Newsom is setting a goal of conserving 30% of state land and coastal waters by the year 2030. Yesterday he signed an executive order that calls for using the state’s own natural resources to remove carbon emissions which drive climate change.

Wineries Struggle With Fires and Other Impacts of Climate Change

The Glass Fire has ravaged 67,420 acres of land around California's wine country. The vineyards and wineries lucky enough to have survived are still struggling with the impacts of the smoke and hotter temperatures driven by climate change.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

7th Grader Remembers Tubbs Fire Three Years On

Three years ago today, dozens of fires broke out in Northern California’s wine country. Those fires ultimately killed 44 people and destroyed or damaged more than 20,000 homes. including the home of 7th grader Leo Abrams.

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Before Reopening, Counties Must Increase COVID-19 Testing, Reduce Positive Cases

Starting this week in order to qualify to reopen more industries and loosen restrictions, California will require its 35 largest counties to bring down coronavirus rates in hard-hit neighborhoods. That means hitting goals both for overall testing and in lowering the percentage of new positive cases.

Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC

Data Indicates In-Person Learning Hasn't Caused More COVID Transmission

California’s Health and Human Services secretary Dr Mark Ghaly says in-person learning hasn’t caused an uptick in COVID-19 transmission rates in the counties where schools have re-opened.

Vallejo Declares Public Safety Emergency to Implement Police Reforms

The Vallejo City Council has declared a public safety emergency in an effort to reform a police department plagued by officer misconduct, controversial police shootings and low morale. Police departments across the state are facing similar criticism.

Facebook Bans All QAnon Accounts, But Implementation Could Take Weeks

Less than a month before Election Day, Facebook has announced it’s banning all QAnon accounts from its platforms. Previously only QAnon accounts that discussed violence were banned. The tech giant warns implementing the ban will take weeks. 

Reporter: Rachael Myrow, KQED

Firefighters Save Historic Napa Valley Grist Mill

California’s record breaking wildfires have destroyed many beloved local attractions, from parks to restaurants and wineries. But in Napa Valley, firefighters went went to great lengths to save one local treasure. 

Reporter: Raquel Maria Dillon, KQED

Gig Workers Divided Over Prop 22

A "yes" vote on Proposition 22 means app-based ride hailing and delivery drivers in California would be classified as independent contractors. A "no" vote means the drivers are classified as employees of the companies, and receive protections, like minimum wage, sick time and health insurance. 

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First Openly Gay Justice Nominated to State Supreme Court

Governor Gavin Newsom has nominated veteran Judge Martin Jenkins as his first appointee to the California Supreme Court. If he's appointed Jenkins will be the first openly gay justice on the California Supreme court.

Reporter: Scott Shafer, KQED

California Physicists Awarded Nobel Prize

Two Californians have been awarded the Nobel Prize in physics with a British scientist. They share the prize for discovering a supermassive black hole at the center of our Milky Way galaxy.

Reporter: Danielle Venton, KQED

Tenants Protest Eviction as Moratoriums Expire

As local rent moratoriums expire, landlords have begun filing evictions across the state, and tenants are now protesting a new state law that they say creates new problems for renters instead of protections.

Reporter Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS

LAUSD Conflicted About How To Cut Police Budget

In June, a divided Los Angeles Unified School Board voted to reduce the school police budget by 25 million dollars and to reallocate the money to schools with more Black students. More than three months later, the district still hasn’t figured out how to do it.

Reporter: Carla Javier, KPCC

Colossal August Complex Fire Chars More Than a Million Acres

In a season of disastrous and record-setting wildfires across California, one blaze stands out. The August Complex began seven weeks ago with a series of lightning strikes scattered through remote forests. It has since scorched more than a million acres, and is the largest fire ever recorded in the state. 

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

Communities in Los Angeles Unimpressed with Community Policing Efforts

In the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of the police many law enforcement agencies are wrestling with how to better serve the communities they’ve sworn to protect. In Los Angeles, the LAPD thinks it has a program that works. It’s called the Community Safety Partnership and it’s about strengthening relationships between cops and residents. 

Reporter: Benjamin Gottlieb, KCRW

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